Chapter 1

My boyfriend, known as the Silent Boy, has a condition that only one surgery in the world can cure, and it comes with a price tag of a million dollars.

I've been saving every penny, working tirelessly to pay for it, and I was almost there. But one day at work, I overheard him speaking with a chilling voice:

"Just one line to get a woman to spend a million dollars on me, and I've won my challenge."

"Crash!"

The fruit platter I was holding slipped from my hands, shattering on the floor. The Silent Boy I yearned for turned to look at me.

"Emma, what are you doing here?"

Declan was shocked to see me, barely able to murmur my name.

Hearing his voice made my heart miss a beat, and I felt a numbing pain throughout my body.

With tears in my eyes, my voice trembling, I asked:

"So... Declan, you're not mute? You've been able to talk all along, haven't you?!"

My question left Declan flustered. He scrambled to explain:

"Emma, I didn't mean to, I just... just..."

He stammered for a long time but couldn’t even manage a lie.

I felt a deeper chill inside. I clutched my chest, feeling like a part of my heart was being carved out.

I closed my eyes, forcing myself to stay calm.

After composing myself, I looked at him, eyes red, and demanded:

"Declan, do you realize how much I've sacrificed to help you get treated?"

"I sold the house my parents left me, pawned all my jewelry, and worked five jobs a month. I didn't spend a single penny on myself, saving everything to help you get treated so I could hear your voice."

"And now... you tell me you could always speak? This was just a game for you, a Rich Kid's amusement?!"

The more I thought about it, the more wronged I felt, and I broke down, screaming at him:

"What is real?! Declan, tell me, what is real?!"

After my outburst, my voice weakened, and I almost collapsed from exhaustion.

Declan reached out to steady me, his fingers brushing against my hands, which were rough and calloused from endless work.

Perhaps thinking of all the hardships I endured for him, guilt reddened his eyes too.

He pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly.

"Emma, I'm sorry, I owe you. I'll make it up to you, and I promise to treat you twice as well in the future."

This was his usual way of comforting me.

When we lived together in that cramped rented apartment, whenever I was upset and vented at him, he'd hold me like this, gently patting my back.

I thought it was because he couldn’t speak and wanted to comfort me and make me feel safe.

Now I realize he just found me annoying and was brushing me off.

This time, it didn't work on me.

I pushed him away, eyes red, staring at him.

"Declan, did you enjoy playing with me?"

Faced with my question, Declan seemed at a loss too.

He looked down in silence for a long time before speaking:

"I'll compensate you, with two million dollars. Don't worry, I won't treat you poorly."

"Heh."

Hearing his words, I couldn’t help but laugh coldly.

So... in his eyes, I was just a woman who could be dismissed with money.